2025 Term 4 Welcome Back

Principal's Messages

Hi Everyone, 

           We have had a great first day back with everyone (mostly) excited to be back at school for Term 4! A lot happens during Term 4 including a lot of preparation for the new school year and celebrations.

A few messages as we start the term and ahead of our newsletter in Week 2.

Thanks for your support - we have had a great start to Term 4!

Katie

Parent Planner: The term 4 Parent Planner has been posted to Compass.

Term 4 Communication From School

Newsletter: Published fortnightly on Wednesdays from Thursday 23 October

Week At A Glance: Published on Friday afternoons to Compass and Facebook

Parent Planner: At the start of each term

Curriculum Note: Week 2  

Academic Reports: Week 8

Thank you to the families who participated in our Parent-Teacher-Student Goal Setting meetings last term. If you would like to talk further with your child's teacher this term, please contact them via email or via the school office admin@waratah.catholic.edu.au

Staffing Updates

Office Administration 

As advised last term, Mrs Vanessa Bamford will be taking Long Service Leave for most of the remainder of the year, returning briefly in November. Vanessa’s role is integral to our daily operations, encompassing student and staff support, administration, finance, first aid, enrolments, and much much more!! It's incredibly hard to find someone to fill her shoes with full time availability.

We  have arranged a roster of consistent casual staff to support our school throughout Term 4. All casual staff are experienced in Diocesan schools and have previously worked with us. Please be aware when contacting the office that staff may need some time to process a request.

Please note: The only contact for administration matters is admin@waratah.catholic.edu.au. This email is also monitored by the school executive. 

 Year 2 

At the end of last term, Miss Nellie Connolly (Year 2 Executive Release) secured a full-time temporary contract at Rosary Park, Branxton for the remainder of the year. This is a wonderful opportunity for Nellie to take on her own class and expand her teaching experience. While we will miss her, we are incredibly proud and supportive of her next step. 

Miss Elly Chapple will teach Year 2 on Thursdays and Fridays for Term 4. Elly was most recently a university intern in Kindergarten with Mrs Ayres where she demonstrated high-level skills in early years education. She brings a strong passion for teaching and has extensive experience as a room leader in early education settings.  

 Creative Arts 

Congratulations to Ms Emma Davies, who was the successful applicant for our Creative Arts position through to Term 3, 2026, covering Mrs Tantos’ parental leave. Emma is a talented educator, accomplished pianist, and has extensive experience in performing arts and curriculum development. We are excited to have Emma with us. 

 Physical Education (PE) 

Mr Nicholas Sloane, who was most recently a university intern in Year 5, will be teaching PE on Fridays. Nicholas worked closely with Mr Surridge during his internship and brings valuable experience from early education settings and his role delivering school programs for the the Newcastle Jets. 

Uniform

Term 4 Return - Summer Uniform and Uniform Reminders

Monday – Academic Uniform (Summer)

Tuesday - Academic Uniform (Summer)

Wednesday – Sport Uniform

Thursday - Academic Uniform Summer)

Friday – Sport Uniform

Summer Uniform 

• School shoes: Black and polish-able (leather or leather like).
  • Please note that no canvas shoes or white/coloured markings are to be worn.
• Sport shoes – predominately white joggers or alternatively black joggers.
• School jacket with emblem 
• School Hat: Our school hat is to be used as the only head wear during winter.

• Earrings – Studs or sleepers only (no dangling earrings)
• Hair Accessories – Must be in the school colours of green, white or black.
• Socks – White fold over socks with academic uniform. No sport socks with academic uniform – no logos visible on socks with either uniform.
• Nails and Nail Polish – no nail varnish to be worn at school, acrylic nails are not permitted or appropriate for school.

Parent and carer consultation re: 2026 School Priorities at Corpus Christi Primary School

Please see the Compass post regarding our consultation survey that is currently open.

We are in the process of finalising details for our FACE forum meeting for term 4 and will advise via Compass and the newsletter

Morning and Afternoon Routines

Before school 

Supervision commences at 8:20am. Students should not be on site prior to this time. 

Morning Drop off:  Parents are welcome to enter the school grounds from 8:20am with their children and depart prior to the 8:50 am bell. 

If you are entering the school, please avoid parking in the Platt Street 5-minute zone (where possible). We aim to improve road safety in our school zone area to help protect children on their way to and from school. If parents use this space as a drop-off (kiss and ride), we can move more cars through. 

Afternoons: We ask that parents wait outside the school gate as we call students to cars and parents/carers for collection. 

Students who walk, ride or take the bus from stops other than Platt Street opposite the school are expected to do so independently. There is no Corpus Christi staff supervision at other local bus stops.

Walking: Students who walk or access buses on Station or High Street will be supervised exiting the school from the Alfred Street gate. Any students making their own way home are expected to do so independently.

Fee Reminders - Accounts due by 30 November

Fee Reminder – Due by November 30
Thank you for your attention to school fees, which play a vital role in supporting the operation of our school.

Updated statements will be issued at the beginning of November. If you would like to view your current balance or request a statement, please log into Compass or contact us at admin@waratah.catholic.edu.au.

As we prepare for 2026, if you wish to make changes to your direct debit arrangements or update account holder details (including adding both parents to the account), please contact the office.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Volunteering - Swimming Carnival, Canteen and Uniform Shop

Volunteering

Our Swimming Carnival will take place in week 9 - Monday 9 December. The day works well when we have parent volunteers to help us out. If you are available to volunteer on the day, please contact Mrs Deveridge kieran.deveridge@mn.catholic.edu.au

Information for new volunteers is availble here.